the /betterness/ of linux as a desktop environment seems to me to be a purely moral phenomenon. in every other way, it is actually less convenient than windows. so, it's not surprising that most of the people who do run linux as a desktop are people who use computers for religious, rather than practical, reasons. --bitvoid

You've seen my computer.Windows (or some program therein) crashes every day or two worth of running. I open three or four programs, and it slows enough that music skips. Same computer with Linux, I have tons of browser windows open (right now 32), ICQ, AIM, 5 terminal windows, a text editor, realplayer, a weather applet, and Linux Winamp, and the thing doesn't bat an eye, nor crash, ever. I use Linux because Windows really is terrible, and I would likely smash the computer if I had to only use Windows. That, and an almost complete absense of virusses of any kind, and it's free, as are most of the things for it.

I do agree, however, that a lot of people use Linux for much worse reasons.

Not extremely, and completely devoid of technical details (i.e. easy for anyone to understand.)I will agree with him completely, except that he left out that after only a bit of experience with it, it is easy to tell how to duct-tape the things together (I might argue the same time as it takes to really get to know Windows, it's just that since Windows is more ubiquitous, it happens ealier and with less effort.) In other words, I agree, except that anyone who's driven a truck for a good amount of time will have no problem figuring it out. I definitely find it easier to put together than, for instance, the wireless access on your laptop.